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British fugitive who mocked Interpol arrested in Türkiye after 2 years

Ewan Corbett, dressed in a black T-shirt, holds a wooden rifle and smiles while standing in a market with red elephant-themed artwork in the background. Ewan Corbett, wanted for a fatal crash in the UK, posed with a wooden rifle at a market while authorities searched for him across multiple countries, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Facebook/Daily Mirror)
By Selin Hacialioglu
Mar 21, 2025 4:30 PM

British national Ewan Aaron Corbett, wanted in connection with the 2020 death of 21-year-old Shane Finn, has been arrested in Türkiye after evading authorities for more than two years.

Case against British fugitive Ewan Corbett: Deadly 2020 crash in North Yorkshire

  • British national Ewan Aaron Corbett, 26, left the U.K. before his scheduled court appearance in 2022.
  • Authorities had charged him with causing death by dangerous driving, and driving without a licence or insurance.
  • The charges stem from a fatal crash in May 2020 near Rosedale Abbey, in the North York Moors National Park. Corbett was believed to be driving an Audi A3 when the car crashed on Knott Road, killing 21-year-old Shane Finn, a father-of-one from Middlesbrough.
Official mugshot of British fugitive Ewan Corbett wearing a grey Under Armour zip-up jacket and a blue T-shirt, taken against a plain grey background.
North Yorkshire Police released this image of British fugitive Ewan Corbett, who was wanted for skipping court in connection with a fatal crash, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, Jan. 22, 2024. (Photo by North Yorkshire Police)

Police launched international search after British fugitive missed trial

  • Corbett failed to appear in court and did not return to face trial.
  • North Yorkshire Police issued a bench warrant.
  • Interpol released a red notice, and the European Union issued an arrest warrant for Corbett.
  • Despite the warrants, the U.K. Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) did not initiate full extradition proceedings because officials could not confirm British fugitive’s exact location.

Prosecutors told Ewan Corbett moved across Southeast Asia under false identity

  • In a January 2024 hearing at York Crown Court, prosecutor Timothy Jones said: “He has been moving around south-east Asia. There is an Interpol red notice out on him and an E.U. arrest warrant.”
Ewan Corbett wears a red life jacket and points his index finger upward while taking a selfie outdoors, surrounded by trees and a muddy river.
Corbett continued traveling freely, posting this image on social media while evading capture after fleeing the UK in 2022, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Facebook/Daily Mirror)

British fugitive traveled across Asia, posted taunting images on social media

Throughout his time on the run, Corbett posted numerous images on his public Facebook profile. He appeared in countries including Switzerland, Thailand, Vietnam, Portugal, and Malaysia.

In one image taken on Penang Island in Malaysia, the British fugitive posed shirtless on a boat with the caption, “Before I disappear of the face of the earth.” In another, he held a toy gun with the caption, “Body like Baywatch, face like Crimewatch.”

Police believe Corbett entered countries using a fake name and bribed officials to cross borders. In January 2024, prosecutor Timothy Jacobs said, “He is in Thailand, but has been moving around south-east Asia, using a false name and paying bribes to get into countries.”

Social media posts suggested the British fugitive remained active and unbothered by the Interpol notice. His behavior drew criticism, especially from the family of Shane Finn, who attended the most recent court hearing in York in early 2024.

The CPS confirmed that they would proceed with the trial in Corbett’s absence if necessary. His defense counsel, Victoria Lamballe, stated in January that she had not received any instructions from him and planned to withdraw from the case.

British fugitive Ewan Corbett stands on a boat deck, saluting with one hand while holding onto a railing with the other. The background features a calm bay with limestone islands.
British fugitive Ewan Corbett posed shirtless on a boat while on the run, sharing the image on social media despite an active Interpol red notice, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Facebook/Daily Mirror)

UK confirms communication with Türkiye as prisoner awaits possible extradition

Turkish authorities detained the British fugitive approximately four weeks ago while he attempted to cross into Iran. According to a source who spoke to Teesside Live, “The British Embassy is aware of the situation. The conditions are absolutely appalling, there are 16 of them in a cell all sleeping on the floor.”

The source also claimed Corbett has been surviving on bread and water and “has lost weight,” but added he remains “on top of the world, as always.”

A spokesperson for the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said, “We are aware of a British man detained in Türkiye and are in touch with the local authorities.”

The arrest may lead to extradition, but no formal proceedings have yet been confirmed. U.K. officials had previously stated that they needed a precise location before they could begin the process. Intelligence officers had been monitoring the British fugitive’s social media to track his movements.

Corbett also faces an additional charge of dangerous driving related to a separate incident in November 2021. Both cases are scheduled for trial at York Crown Court. If extradited, Corbett will likely stand trial for both matters.

For now, the British fugitive remains in custody in Türkiye while discussions between British and Turkish authorities continue.

Last Updated:  Mar 21, 2025 4:30 PM